Rio de Janeiro

The most popular place to stay in Rio is along the beach in either Ipanema or Copacabana, where you'll find a wealth of high-rise hotels overlooking the ocean. (You will, of course, pay more for a room with an ocean view.) Less convenient to the beaches is the neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca, where the hotels tend to be newer and the nightlife is quieter. Wherever you stay, book well in advance if you're planning a trip during Carnival, when the city is mobbed by guests from both Brazil and around the world.